100 feared trapped in bldg collapse

• 14 were reported dead, 11 rescued
  
• Among trapped 14 are from AP
  
• Officials confirm 8 died in mishap

Chennai: As many as 14 persons died when a 12-storeyed under-construction building collapsed in a city suburb on Saturday. Reports said over 100 workers are feared trapped under the debris of the building. Eleven persons were rescued and 14 were said to be dead.

Unconfirmed reports said that among the trapped were 14 persons from Vizianagaram district from Andhra Pradesh. People hailing from Makkuva, Saluru, Datti Rajeru areas in the district are engaged as coolies in the area. Eight persons who were reported dead are Mantri Meenamma, Pativada Gowramma, Karri Tavudamma, Peketi Lakshmi, Pativada Bangarunaidu, Siripurapu Ramu, Peketi Appalaramu and Vanumu Durga. AP Home Minister Chinna Rajappa said in Nagaram in East Godavari that the government was making efforts to get details and also sought help from the TN government.

AP Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao called up his Tamil Nadu counterpart and enquired about the rescue operation. Some reports said rains that lashed the area and the loosening of the soil could be the reason. "Eleven floors seem to have been completed so far. The building collapsed suddenly according to statement of eyewitnesses," Fire and Rescue Services Joint Director S Vijayasekar told PTI.

Ambulances, doctors and paramedical personnel were on the spot. Twelve fire tenders and 100 personnel and National Disaster Response Force teams are involved in the rescue work. The incident occurred at Moulivakkam near Porur in the western suburb, about 20 km from Chennai, as rains lashed the area and several other parts of the city on Saturday evening. Asked if rains could also have been a factor in the collapse of the building, the official said “it does not seem to be due to the rains. We have to see.”